Schoolboy Dylan Alkins had been playing with a friend on the beach at Newhaven at 4.15pm when he disappeared under the waves.

Frantic coastguards launched a helicopter and lifeboat search but the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the operation had now become one of search and recovery.

Some 300,000 homes suffered power cuts at some point throughout the morning, the Energy Networks Association said, with energy now restored to around 30,000.

Falling trees and other debris covering railway tracks caused travel misery for thousands of commuters, with trains and London Underground services suspended.

The port of Dover in Kent had to shut, more than 130 flights at Heathrow Airport were cancelled and many roads were impassable due to fallen trees.

Debris falling on to power lines also caused a nuclear power station to automatically close down both its reactors, leaving its own diesel generators to provide power for essential safety systems.

Martin Pearson, director at the Dungeness B station in Kent, which is run by EDF Energy, said: "This is a scenario we are well prepared for and we quickly responded calmly and professionally to the loss of supply."

The strongest gust of wind was recorded at 99mph on the Isle of Wight.

The Environment Agency said there were still 12 flood warnings in place across the South West, the Midlands and the East of England. There were also 130 flood alerts telling people to be prepared for flooding.

A double-decker bus "rolled over" in Suffolk, injuring the driver and several passengers.

Witnesses told police the vehicle blew over at 8am, rolling onto its side and coming to a stop in a field in Hadleigh.

The driver, a man in his 40s, was initially trapped and was treated at the scene by paramedics.

A police spokesman said: "He was suffering from neck pain, had taken a bash to his head and was in and out of consciousness.

"There were several other people on board, with a couple of walking wounded. We believe the driver has been taken to hospital. The road is completely blocked."

Whitehall: A crane collapsed on top of the Cabinet building (Image: WENN)

In central London, Whitehall was closed both ways between Parliament Square and Horse Guards Avenue after a crane collapsed on to the roof of the Cabinet Office.

Met Office spokeswoman Laura Young said blustery conditions were expected to remain in London and the East Midlands throughout the day.

She said: "We continue to monitor the situation and, although the amber warning is over, there are still strong winds and the impacts from earlier in the day are still around.

"People need to stay aware, keep an eye on the forecast and remain alert to the situation."

Experts said that, while the gales had been relatively weak compared with the Great Storm of 1987, it had shown how much weather predictions have improved compared with 26 years ago.